Case studies: Ergonomist: Steven

Steven owns an office furniture business, Chairmans Scotland, and undertook a degree in health ergonomics.

He found that the number of people with bad backs and RSI problems was increasing and he was out of his depth being able to help them. He decided that he needed an understanding of ergonomics to solve these problems; if you make chairs it makes sense to understand ergonomics.

Steven started the qualification in 2007 at the Rubens Centre for Health Ergonomics, University of Guildford which he completed by distance learning. He completed the postgraduate diploma and decided to move on to complete a dissertation which leads to a Masters. As part of the taught programme, modules included subjects such as anatomy and physiology, psychology, research methods and accidents/health and safety. As part of each module one week was spent at university either in labs or occupational health suites. Although this was a distance learning course an email link with the other students meant Steven never felt isolated.

It’s been hard for Steven to fit in study with work. As he has his own business he has been able to take one day off a week so that he can dedicate time to coursework. He spends evenings and weekends reading journals and other recommended texts. The experience of studying ergonomics varies on postgraduate courses where students are career changers. For example, those who have been working in occupational health will find aspects easier on the course than others.

Steven is an associate member of the Ergonomics Society  and is currently undergoing the process of registration. The registration process requires you to complete five large projects in a four-year period and you are assigned a personal tutor to help guide you through the process.

The benefits of studying for the Masters were obvious to Steven, almost immediately. He has been able to put his learning into practical use in his business. His dissertation was based on building a new type of chair based on ergonomic principles.

Steven’s advice to people considering working in ergonomics is to start by completing an ergonomics undergraduate degree and then complete a Masters. He thinks this will give you sufficient time to understand this vast topic and will help you identify the areas you can work in. Working as an ergonomist in the furniture business is very rare as the industry is more likely to consult ergonomists rather than employ someone full time.

AGCAS

Sourced by Suzanne Agnew, University of Edinburgh

Date: 

March 2009

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